The study will evaluate the vasopressor requirement, hemodynamic response and measures of tissue perfusion in patients with septic shock receiving an infusion of drotrecogin alfa (activated) compared to patients not receiving drotrecogin alfa (activated).

An Evaluation of Vasopressor Requirement, Hemodynamic Response and Measures of Tissue Perfusion With the Administration of Drotrecogin Alfa (Activated) as Part of Physician-Directed Therapy in Patients With Septic Shock

an intravenous steroid administered for septic shock, except for those patients who were tested and are responders to a corticotropin stimulation test, or patients who do not receive a steroid due to the clinical judgment of the treating physician, based on an alternate assessment (e.g. normal baseline cortisol).

Exclusion:

Onset of first-sepsis induced organ dysfunction is greater than 24 hours from the time of informed consent

The presence of an advanced directive to withhold life-sustaining treatment, with the exception of a directive to withhold chest compressions only

Have received treatment within the last 30 days with a drug that has not received regulatory approval for any indication at the time of study entry

Weight > 200 kg

Are moribund (not expected to survive 24 hours)

Are pregnant or are lactating and the milk is to be ingested by the infant (pregnancy status must be verified by urine or serum testing)

Have not completed written informed consent signed by the patient or the patient's legal representative.

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00279214